Envelop-moistener.



J. M. BROOKS. ENVELOP MOISTENER.

APPLICATION FILED AUGA, 1913.

Patented Apr. 7, 1914.

witnesses 1 STATE% FATENT @FFTQE.

JAMES M. BROOKS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ENVELOP-MOIST'ENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. "7, P914:-

Appliriation filed August 4, 1913. Serial No. 782,904.

This invention relates to envelop moisteners and an object of the invention is to provide improved means for supporting the absorbent material in position to receive liquid from a suitable source, so that the moisture will be distributed in an even manner over the entire gummed surface of the flap of the envelop.

A further object is to provide means for mounting a strip of absorbent material, which may be approximately the length of an ordinary long envelop used for carrying letters, in such position that the water supply from the top will pass downwardly the full length of the strip, any surplus being discharged in a suitable receptacle, with means for resiliently holding the flap of the envelop against the moistened surface, as the envelop is passed, or drawn, downwardly.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view of the device in side elevation. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the device as it appears when looking from the right in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section with parts in elevation, the section being on line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a section through the tank for supplying liquid, and showing means for regulating the flow of liquids.

The base of the device is indicated by lOuand the supporting member for the water tank by 12. The supporting member may consist of a strip of suitable metal bent into U-form and mounted vertically as shown, the water receptacle 15 being carried by the upper end of support 12. Receptacle 15 is provided with an outlet pipe 16 connected with its lower end and with a cap 17 this cap having an aperture through which a pin 18 extends, the pin having a headwhich serves to close the aperture when the pin is in the position shown in Fig. 4. The pin may be tapered and a greater or less amount of air will be admitted to the receptacle, depending upon the height to which the device 18 is lifted by hand when it is desired to allow water to pass from the pipe 16 to the absorbent material. A slotted metallic strip 20 is bent into U form at its upper end and is connected at 21 with frame 12. Tube 16 may rest on the upper curved end of strip 20 if desired. The absorbent material 22 comprises a strip of sponge or other suitable substance which is passed through the slot of member 20, the central portion of the absorbent material being compressed and the free edges being allowed to expand when moistened by water from tank 15. A strip of resilient material 25 is also bent into U form and is connected with the base 10 by means of a right angle portion 26, one side of the U member coming in contact with the absorbent material throughout practically the entire length of the strip in order that the flap of the envelop may be brought into directcontact with the moistened surface, and even pressure may be exerted 011 the flap as it is drawn downwardly through the device.

The surplus water passes from the strip of absorbent material into receptacle 27, and it will be noted that in view of the mode of water supply and the formation of the absorbent material, by cutting the latter into a strip having approximately the length of an average long envelop, and arranging it vertically, the moisture is evenly distributed and no surplus water is allowed to accumulate on the strip of material 22.

What I claim is:

1. An envelop moistener comprising a strip of absorbent material held substantially Vertical, means for applying liquid at the upper end of said material, and a resilient strip extending adjacent the strip of flexible material for substantially the full length thereof, the said strip being supported at a point adjacent the upper end of the strip of absorbent material.

2. An envelop moistener comprising a strip of absorbent material held substantially vertical, means for applying liquid to the upper end of the absorbent material, an inverted U-shaped strip of resilient ma terial one end of which is spaced from the absorbent material and held rigidly at the bottom thereof, the other end of the U- shaped strip of material extending adjacent the strip of absorbent material for substantially the full length thereof, the lower end of said second end of the U-shaped strip being free.

3. An envelop moistener comprising a strip of absorbent material vertically mounted and supported from the upper end thereof, resilient means embracing said absorbent material, the upper end of said means held against movement While the lower end is free to move, and a member adjacent the absorbent material, the fiap of an envelop adapted to pass between said means and the absorbent material anden gage the latter, p

at. An envelop moistener comprising a vertically mounted strip of absorbent material, the free end of said stri) being held substantially fixed, while the oWer end is free to swing, and a member adjacent the strip of absorbent material extending subguidin r strip supported at the upper end thereof, while the lower end is free;

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' JAMES BROOKS.

Witnesses v V ROBERT T. LAN

W. H. lVAKEFI D,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

WashingtomD. G. 

